Summer is here and you're heading into the mountains for hikes with family or friends. But you're wondering whether you're properly equipped… and you remember last year, when you set off in jeans for a 5 to 6-hour walk with some serious elevation gain. And now you know… that in terms of weight, flexibility and breathability… jeans are really not the ideal choice!
So we're going to explain how to choose your next hiking trousers for the mountains, and why opting for a specific technical garment makes all the difference.
Your selection criteria
Whenever you choose clothing, personal taste comes into play — but for a technical garment, certain additional parameters must also be taken into account. Versatility If you have the choice, opt for hiking trousers that work equally well in cool and warm weather, in daytime sunshine and evening chill. You need trousers that offer versatility and protection. Many models are available with zip-off legs or half-legs with zip or press-stud fastenings, making them easy to remove.
In warm weather, this type of trouser can be worn as shorts or bermudas, and when the temperature drops you can easily and quickly convert them back into full-length trousers. Convertible garments of this kind cost slightly more than standard ones — but in effect you're buying both trousers and shorts in one, and when you do the maths, the investment is often well worth it.
Longevity
Hiking trousers need to be built-to-last and capable of lasting many years. To that end, check, for example, that they are assembled with triple flat-felled or double stitching. The most vulnerable areas of this type of garment must be reinforced at the seams to ensure good durability. The movements of walking — particularly across side slopes — place considerable strain on the garment as it stretches. This type of stitching absorbs most of that stress and prevents tearing.
For example, the crotch seam should be double-stitched, as should the pockets and central seams, which must also be reinforced to prevent failure after repeated use.
The material
Your choice of trouser fabric is crucial for comfort. To be completely at ease, natural fibres would be the ideal choice. However, synthetic fabrics often cope better with moisture — and these materials are also breathable, allowing sweat to be wicked away effectively. Moreover, today's innovative fabrics deliver great comfort and good freedom of movement: for this reason, pay close attention to the stretch qualities of the trousers you're about to buy. Also check whether they feature reinforcements — particularly at the seat and knees, which will be the areas most exposed to abrasion and scrapes. Mountain terrain can also be quite wet: showers, storms, small streams to cross… the waterproofing aspect of your trousers is therefore not to be overlooked. Look for a garment that has been treated with a water-repellent finish, for example. The ideal material almost certainly doesn't exist, but the truth probably lies in the balanced compromises achieved by certain brands — such as CimAlp, which introduces bamboo fibre into its latest trousers to deliver comfort, softness and thermal and moisture regulation: without
Finally, your trousers need to be practical: they should have multiple zipped pockets in different sizes, and ideally a built-in adjustable waistband. These may seem like details, but over time they make an enormous difference in terms of comfort and usability. So make your purchase thoughtfully and set aside your everyday trousers for the duration of your mountain escape. These landscapes — and your body — deserve better than that: choose a good pair of hiking trousers based on your budget, your activity level and our advice!
